The Oklahoma Bar Journal May 2026

AWARDS OUTSTANDING COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION AWARD – for meritorious efforts and activities 2025 Winner: Tulsa County Bar Association HICKS EPTON LAW DAY AWARD – for individuals or organizations for noteworthy Law Day activities 2025 Winner: Garfield County Bar Association GOLDEN GAVEL AWARD – for OBA committees and sections performing with a high degree of excellence 2025 Winner: OBA Membership Engagement Committee LIBERTY BELL AWARD – for nonlawyers or lay organizations for promoting or publicizing matters regarding the legal system 2025 Winner: Judy Spencer, Oklahoma City OUTSTANDING YOUNG LAWYER AWARD – for a member of the OBA Young Lawyers Division for service to the profession 2025 Winner: Laura Talbert, Oklahoma City EARL SNEED AWARD – for outstanding continuing legal education contributions 2025 Winner: Mbilike Mwafulirwa, Tulsa AWARD OF JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE – for excellence of character, job performance or achievement while a judge and service to the bench, bar and community 2025 Winner: Judge Theresa Dreiling, Tulsa MAURICE MERRILL GOLDEN QUILL AWARD – for the author of the best-written article published this year in the Oklahoma Bar Journal , as selected by the Board of Editors 2025 Winners: Martha Rupp Carter, Tulsa, and Randall J. Yates, Tulsa FERN HOLLAND COURAGEOUS LAWYER AWARD – to an OBA member who has courageously performed in a manner befitting the highest ideals of our profession Not awarded in 2025 OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AWARD – for significant community service by an OBA member or bar-related entity 2025 Winner: Sue Ann Arnall, Oklahoma City AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRO BONO SERVICE – by an OBA member or bar-related entity 2025 Winner: Del Gustafson, Tulsa JOE STAMPER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – to an OBA member for long-term service to the bar association or contributions to the legal profession 2025 Winner: Randall J. Snapp, Tulsa NEIL E. BOGAN PROFESSIONALISM AWARD – to an OBA member practicing 10 years or more who for conduct, honesty, integrity and courtesy best represents the highest standards of the legal profession 2025 Winner: Gary C. Clark, Stillwater JOHN E. SHIPP AWARD FOR ETHICS – to an OBA member who has truly exemplified the ethics of the legal profession either by 1) acting in accordance with the highest ethical standards in the face of pressure to do otherwise or 2) by serving as a role model for ethics to the other members of the profession 2025 Winner: Taylor Henderson, Oklahoma City ALMA WILSON AWARD – for an OBA member who has made a significant contribution to improving the lives of Oklahoma children 2025 Winner: Lori McConnell, Shawnee YVONNE KAUGER TRAILBLAZER AWARD – to an OBA member or members who by their significant, unique visionary efforts have had a profound impact upon our profession and/or community and in doing so have blazed a trail for others to follow 2025 Winner: Justice Yvonne Kauger (retired), Colony

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL